Wire bending machine



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Patented Nov. 17, 1953 WIRE BENDIN G MACHINE Edwin 0. Klemm, Saginaw,Mich, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Saginaw Wire Products, Inc.,Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 26,1949, Serial No. 117,891

7 Claims. (Cl. 153-21) This invention relates to machines for bendingwire into various shapes for use in the automobile industry and otherplaces where high production of wire shapes and quick changeover fromthe manufacture of one wire shape to another are both necessary andeconomical.

One of the prime objects of my invention is to design a power-actuatedwire bending machine in which the wire may be readily bent to the mostcomplicated form or shape without stretching or fracturing the wire atthe point of bend.

Aiurther object is to design a wire bending machine which bends in asmooth, natural manner, the bends being progressively formed so that themetal displacement caused by the bend is free and natural, thustorsional stresses and distortions are avoided, and undue bending,inaccuracies, and resultant scrappage minimized.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine whichincorporates spring-actuated slides associated with the dies in such amanner, that longer lengths of wire may be bent merely by bringingadditional spring-actuated lever units into play, it being understoodthat any number of such lever units may be incorporated, and that thenumber of elements in action can be easily, quickly and readily varied.

Another object is to provide a bending machine in which the bending diesmay be easily and securely mounted in position and in a minimum lengthof time, consequently making it more economical to change over from onewire shape to another, thus eliminating stock piling of wire shapes andconserving valuable storage space at present used for this purpose.

As is well-known in the art, the process of forming the heavy wires usedin modern industry to the complicated shapes required, comprises asequence of separate forming operations such as is necessary toaccomplish free, easy, and nondistorting bending. The precise timingnecessary has heretofore been provided by complicated, expensive andnon-flexible cam mechanisms, and when it was necessary to produce adifferent wire shape, several hours were required, by a skilledmechanic, to efiect the changeover, inasmuch as it was necessary tochange cams or individually adjust each of the various cams. This wasboth expensive and time-consuming, and as a result, it has beencustomary to stock pile various wire shapes to eliminate too frequentchangeovers, which, of course, necessitates storage space and adds tothe inventory on hand.

All of this I have overcome in my new machine in which the bendingmechanism incorporates simple, non-cam-sequencetiming means which can beeasily and quickly mounted and dernounted, and in which the wire israpidly fed to the dies.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the typedescribed in which the necessary pressure to accomplish a bending resultis easily obtained by the simple variation of the pre-loading of myindividual spring units; and further provide means whereby the forwardtravel of the spring powered unit may be arrested at any predeterminedpoint in its path of travel, thus greatly simplifying the bending diedesign.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent asthe specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings in which I have shown several embodiments of my invention, itbeing apparent that changes may be made in the form, size, andarrangement of the various parts, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or th scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of my wirebending machine.

Fig. 2 is a top, plan view, parts of the assembly being broken away tomore clearly show the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, plan view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the dieand slides with the wires in the process of being formed to shape.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the progressive bending of the wire.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, part-sectional plan view showing the eccentricdriving mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the wire bending machinetaken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of theslide-actuating levers, slides, etc., the broken lines indicating therange of movement of said levers.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, part-sectional, endelevational view of one ofthe levers.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the swivel bearings such as usedin the levers.

Fig. 10 is a reduced, schematic, part-sectional, side-elevational viewof thestructure shown'in Fig. 1 with the dies in place.

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing an advanced position of theslide-actuating means.

Fig. 12 is another similar view showing the position of the die unit,slide and actuating mechanism at completion of the bending stroke.

Fig. 13 is also a fragmentary, longitudinal, sec- 3 tional,side-elevational view showing a modified design.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing still another modification.

Fig. 15 is a similar sectional, elevational view showing a modifiedconstruction.

Fig. 16 is a sectional, plan view similar to Fig. showing the eccentriccollars adjustably mounted on the eccentric.

Fig. 17 is a transverse, sectional view through one of the eccentriccollars.

Fig. 18 is a similar sectional view illustrating the adjustment of theeccentric collars on the main body of the eccentric.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 12 of the accompanyingdrawings in which the letter 16 indicates a main frame having a base 20,and a top plate 22 as usual. A transverse partition 24 spans the mainframe (see Fig. 5 of the drawings), and a speed reducer R is mountedthereon by means of bolts 25, said reducer comprising a worm 26drivingly engaging a worm wheel 21 which is mounted on the shaft 28, oneend of said shaft projecting through an opening 29 provided in the frameand being secured in a boss 30 which forms a part of the eccentric E bymeans of a pin 3|.

An enlarged section 32 is provided on the opposite end of the eccentricE and is mounted in a bearing 33 provided in the partition 34, a hub 35being cast integral with the eccentric and is suitably bored toaccommodate another shaft member (shown in broken lines), should it bedesired to add additional units thereto.

A sheave 36 is provided on the one end of the worm shaft 31, and a belt38 drivingly connects the sheave 36 with a sheave 39 provided on themotor M, which motor can be connected to any suitable source of power.

A shaft 40 is journaled in bearings 4i provided on the face of theframe, and a sheave 42 is provided thereon, said shaft being driven fromthe motor M by means of belt 43. A horizontally disposed shaft 44 isjournaled on the face of the top plate 22 and a sheave 45 is providedthereon, a belt 46 drivingly connecting shafts 40 and 44 and forming aconveyor C which carries the cut lengths-of wire W to the bending dies.

A vertically disposed bar member 41 is provided on the side wall of themain frame, and a horizontally extending arm 48 is pivotally connectedthereto by means of pin 49, the free end of said am being formed with adepending leg section 50 to which a shoe 5! is rockably connected bymeans of a pin 52, the lower face of the shoe being beveled as at 53 forguiding the wire W as it is carried on the conveyor C.

An adjustable stop unit S is mounted on a plate 54 secured to the topface of the'main frame in horizontal alignment with the conveyor C, andlimits the inward travel of the wire, this stop being of conventionaldesign, and I do not deem it necessary to describe the construction oroperation thereof.

A bed plate 55 is mounted on the upper face of the main frame, and isformed with spaced-apart projecting sections 56 forming a support forthe work, said plate being grooved as at 51 to slidably accommodate aplurality of die bar slides 58, these slides being actuated in a mannerto be presently described, one end of each slide being shaped to formthe curvature to which the wire is to be bent, the opposite end beingformed with a slotted Opening 59 of predetermined length to accommodatethe shoe 60 of a die bar actuating 4 lever L, the lower end of saidlever being pivotally connected to the base 20 by means of a pin 6|.

A plate 62 forms a cover for the die bar slide 58 and is secured inposition by means of bolts 83, one edge of said plate overhanging theend 01' the bed plate and forming dies D are secured to the lower facethereof by means of bolts 64 or the like.

The die bar actuating levers L are formed as clearly shown in Figs. 7and 8 of the drawings, each lever comprising spaced-apart bars 65 havingan extension shoe 60 adjustably connected to its upper end by means ofbolts 66 or the like, and a swivel bearing 61 is revolvably mountedtherebetween. Laterally projecting pins 68 are provided on the bearing61, and are journaled in suitable openings 69 provided in the bars 55 ata point intermediate their length, and a cam follower roller 10 isrevolvably mounted on the lever L in position for engagement by theeccentric E as the machine is driven.

The die bar slides 58 are actuated by the extension shoes 60 whichproject into the openings 59, the edges of the shoes being curved asshown to minimize thrust and wear, and the stroke of each slide isgoverned by the eccentric E and the length of the slot in each slide.

A raised boss H is provided on the upper face of each of the die barslides 58, and an adjustable stop member 12 is threaded therein, the endof the stop engaging the edge of the plate 62 to limit forward travel ofsaid slide as the machine is operated.

A shorter lever P is pivotally secured to the base 20 by means of pin 13and is located on the side of the eccentric E opposite to lever L.Swivel bearings 61 are mounted on the lever P the same as on lever L,the upper end of lever P engagin a stop 14 provided on the lower face ofthe top plate 22 to limit return travel of said lever P.

Threaded rods 15 and I6 are slidably mounted in the swivel bearings 61,and springs 11 and 18 are interposed between the swivel bearings and anut and washer assembly I9 and 80, which is provided on the threadedends of the rods, these springs being preloaded by means of the nut 19and can be tensioned as desired, said springs normally tending to forcethe levers L and P towards each other and into engagement with the faceof the eccentric at all times, and while in Figs. 7 and 12 of thedrawings I have shown two sets of rods and springs, it will beunderstood that it is a matter of choice, depending on the size of thework and power required and that one pair can be used when desired.

The actuating levers and openings in the draw bar slides 58 and stopsare of prime importance. The eccentric E is the timer; it governs thestart of the forward travel of the actuating levers L and P; thevariation in the lengths of the individual slots or openings in the diebar slides 58 controls the sequence and starting time of the slides whenacted upon by the stored energy in the preloaded springs of the levers.The forward movement of the slides 58 is stopped when the stops I2engage the edge of the plate 62, and the levers stop simultaneouslytherewith, and it will be obvious that the full energy of the preloadedsprings has not been fully expended.

The eccentric E also returns the levers to original starting position,the upper end of the lever P engaging the stop 14 on the plate 22and'limiting the return movement thereof. The pressure exerted isyieldable, providing more even, accurate and uniform bending,eliminating'break.

age, and providing a safety factor not present in machines of this typeat present on the market.

The sequence of operation of the machine is as follows: When the motor Mis energized, the conveyor 0 feeds a pre-cut length of wire W over theprojecting supports 56 which form a part of the bed plate of the die andagainst stop S, the wire being disposed between the ends of the die barslides and the face of the bending die blocks 32), and as the eccentricE is driven, the levers L and P are swung about pivot points 6| and 13,moving forwardly from broken line position shown in Fig. '7 of thedrawings and forcing the ends of the die bar slides 58 into engagementwith the work W, compressing the springs 11 and '18, and completing abending stroke, so that there is no tendency to crack the wire or createan inherent twist or distortion after it is formed to shape.

The slides 58 move in predetermined sequence so that the forming isprogressive, and when all slides have reached the limit of their forwardtravel, the stops 1? will be in engagement with the plate 62, and withthis arrangement certain slides may be holding bent portions in truealignment and position, while other slides are in turn making otherunusual bends; there are no sharp hammer blows as the spring loadedlevers provide a yielding pressure.

The return stroke is neither violent nor jerky; it is controlled by therotation of the eccentric which engages the rollers to eliminatefriction and provide smooth operation.

In Fig. 13 of the drawings I have shown a simplified arrangement inwhich but one lever L is y r the pre-load is stored up when the slide isin its fully retracted position, and when the eccentric is actuated, thesprings force the slides forwardly into engagement with the work, andwhen the bending operation is completed, the eccentric again forces thelever back to original starting point.

Fig. 14 shows still another modification in which pairs of levers areemployed similar to Fig. '7. In this design, a spring 85 is connected tothe levers L and P, and as the eccentric E is driven, the springs 86force the slides 58 forwardly into engagement with the work, and alsoreturn the slides in the same manner.

Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive show another modification in which the springarrangement 81 is similar to that shown in Fig. 7, except that but onepair of springs is provided for each pair of levers. A die D2 isrockably mounted on a horizontally disposed extension 89 of the bedplate by means of the pin 90, and the lower end of the die is pivotallyconnected to the forked extension D3 of the die by means of the pin 90A.This arrangement simultaneously moves the slides 58 and rocks the diesD2 about the pivot point 90, so that bending and punching operations canbe performed as desired.

Fig. 16 shows a variation of the eccentric construction previouslydescribed, a smaller eccentric drum 9| being provided, and eccentriccollars 92 are circumferentially adjustable thereon 6 by means ofsetscrews 93. This permits the starting sequence to be varied and theadjustment is simple and easy- When it is desired to change over to benda wire different than that presently being run on the machine, it ismerely necessary to remove the forming dies and die bar slide assembly,replace them with dies and slides of required design, and the changeoveris complete. The change can be easily made and in a minimum length oftime.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I haveperfected a simple, practical and relatively inexpensive bending machinefor bending wire into any desired shape or configuration.

What I claim is:

1. In a wire bending machine, the combination comprising a main frame, abed plate mounted thereon, die bar slides reciprocably mounted in saidbed plate, said slides each having single slots of varied length withrelation to one another extending in the direction of travel of said barslides, forming dies on said frame spaced from the ends of the slidesand in alignment therewith, work support means for supporting the workbetween said die bar slides and forming dies, actuating levers pivotallymounted on said frame, the one end of each of said actuating leversbeing freely accommodated in the slot of a die bar slide and of a sizewith relation to the length of the slot as to be movablethereinpredetermined distance in the direction of travel of said die barslide before actuating said slide, so that each slide is moved in timedrelation with respect to the other slides, and driving means associatedwith said levers for forcing the slide engaging ends of said leversthrough a definite path of travel to move said slides into and out ofengagement with the work.

2. In a wire bending machine, the combina tion comprising a main frame,a horizontally disposed bed plate mounted thereon, transversely disposeddie bar slides reciprocably mounted in said bed plate, forming dies onsaid frame spaced from the ends of the die bar slides and in alignmenttherewith, work support means supporting the work between said slidesand forming dies, said slides being formed with slots of varying lengthextending in the direction of travel of the slides, longitudinallyspaced, upwardly extending actuating levers pivotally mounted on saidframe with their upper ends freely accommodated in said slots, thelevers being of a size with relation to the length of the slots as to betransversely movable in said slots of varied length before actuatingsaid die bar slides, so that each die bar slide is moved in timedrelation with respect to the other die bar slides, and driving means forforcing the upper ends of said levers simultaneously through a path oftravel to move said slides into and out of engagement with the work.

3. In a wire bending machine, the combination comprising a main frame, abed plate mounted thereon, die bar slides reciprocably mounted in saidbed plate, forming dies on said frame spaced from the ends of the slidesand in alignment therewith, work support means for supporting the workbetween said die bar slides and forming dies, actuating levers pivotallymounted on said frame for moving said slides into and out of engagementwith the work, each lever having an end associated with a die bar slidein a manner to permit travel with relation thereto before positivelyactuating its die bar slide a varied distance with respect to thedistance traveled by the other acaesaeoo tuathm levers before positivelyengaging their slids to enable each slide to be moved in timed relationwith respect to the movement of the other slides, and driving meanssimultaneously driving said levers through the same defined path Oftravel.

4. In a wire bending machine, a frame, a bed plate mounted thereon, diebar slides reciprocable in said bed plate, said slides being formed withelongated slots of varied length extending in the direction of travel ofsaid slides, forming dies spaced from the ends of said slides and inhorizontal alignment therewith, actuating levers pivoted on said frame,the one end of each of said levers being freely accommodated in a slotin a slide and of a size with relation to the length of said slot as tobe movable therein in the direction of travel of said slide beforeactuating said slide, so that each slide is actuated in timed relationwith respect to the other slides, spring means normally urging saidlevers in a direction to drive said slides into engagement with thework, and driven eccentric means controlling the spring forced bendingstroke of said levers and returning said levers to spring loadedposition.

5. In a wire bending machine, a frame, a bed plate mounted thereon, diebar slides reciprocable in said had plate, said slides being formed withelongated openings of varied length extending in the direction of travelof said slides, forming dies spaced from the ends of said slides and inalignment therewith, units of spaced-apart levers pivoted on said frame,the one end of a lever in each unit being freely accommodated in one ofsaid slide openings and of a size with r-eiation to the length of saidopening as to be movable in the direction of travel of the slides beforeactuating the bar slide, at least one red slidably connecting the leversof each lever unit and extending beyond the levers at both ends, springmeans mounted on said rods between each lever and the end of the rod fornormally urging said slide engaging lever in a direction to drive saidslides into bending engagement with the work, stop means limiting thereturn travel of the nonslide-engaging levers, and driven eccentricmeans controlling the release of said slide-engaging levers during thebending stroke and returning said slide-engaging levers against thecompression of said springs to original spring-loaded position.

6.1n a wire bending machine for actuating a die bar slide having aslotted opening therein, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on saidmachine with its one end freely accommodated in said opening, a boosterlever pivotally mounted on said machine, at least one red slidablyconnecting said actuating lever and said booster lever, spring means onsaid rod adjacent said actuating lever normally urging said actuatinglever in a direction to move said die bar slide into engagement with thework, booster spring means on said rod adjacent said booster lever,eccentric means for controlling the spring forced travel of saidactuating lever and returning said actuating lever against thecompressive force of said spring means and booster spring tospring-loaded position.

7. In a wire bending machine, a mechanism for actuating a die bar slideprovided with means for limiting its bending stroke, comprising a pairof levers pivotally mounted on said machine, the rear lever beingarranged to engage said die bar slide and move it into bendingengagement with the work, swivel hearings on said levers, at least onehorizontally disposed rod slidably disposed in said bearings andextending beyond said bearings, pre-loaded springs mounted on said rodand interposed between the levers and the ends of the rods, 3. stop onsaid machine for limiting the return stroke of said front lever, adriven eccentric means mounted between said levers and actuating saidrear lever to return it to original position and compress said springsand to also actuate said front lever to complete the bending stroke.

EDWIN 0. KLEMM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 522,930 Church July 10, 1894 760,490 Sanford May 24, 1904774,496 Rivett Nov. 8, 1904 895,766 Kehoe Aug. 11, 1908 992,890 LewisMay 23, 1911 1,051,497 Harter Jan. 28, 1913 1,513,032 Bull Oct. 28, 19241,655,279 McGowan Jan. 3, 1928 1,663,663 Kamen Mar. 27, 1928 1,701,250Young Feb. 5, 1929 1,732,945 Novick Oct. 22, 1929 1,758,237 Paine May13, 1930 1,985,646 Sjogren Dec. 25, 1934 2,297,156 Magldson Sept. 29,1942 2,373,163 Cailloux Apr. 10, 1945 2,473,417 Essl June 14, 19492,547,304 Broscomb Apr. 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date28,387 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1908 21,251 Norway Feb. 27, 1911

